Gaming apparatus and method of use

ABSTRACT

A gaming apparatus includes at least one gaming device that is configured to allow a player to place a wager and to play a game. A display device is mounted in association with the gaming device. The display device includes a housing and a housing positioning mechanism that is coupled to the housing. An indicator is coupled to the housing and an indicator positioning mechanism is coupled to the indicator. A controller is in communication with the gaming device, the housing positioning mechanism and the indicator positioning mechanism. The controller is configured to detect an indicator moving event and to move the housing and the indicator in accordance with the indicator moving event. The present invention also includes a gaming method using the gaming apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED AND CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/986,267 filed on Nov. 07, 2007. The contents ofthe foregoing application are herein incorporated by reference inentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gaming devices providing physicalmoveable indicators. In particular, the invention relates to communitygames using physical moveable indicators.

BACKGROUND

Prior art gaming devices have advanced from basic slot machines tomachines allowing interaction between players through the playing ofcommunity games. In general however, the physical appearance of thegaming device is relatively static, despite there being many changinglights and symbols. Community games provide enhanced player excitementby increasing interactivity between players. In a community game,multiple players wager on linked devices. Certain gaming outcomestrigger progress towards a community prize event in which a communityprize is distributed amongst eligible players. However, the displays arerelatively static with little physical movement provided to enhance thevisual appeal of the games. In addition, where community gameinformation is displayed along a line of gaming machines, players at thecenter will typically have a better view of the community gameinformation than players at the end. One solution is to provide multipledisplays of the community game information so that all players have anequal view of the community game information, but this solutiondecreases the “community” feel of the gaming station.

SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Advantages of One or More Embodiments of the Present Invention

The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do notnecessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:

the ability to display community game information to multiple players;

provide a community game incorporating one or more moveable indicators;

provide an attractive moving display to indicate progress towards abonus event;

provide a display that can move an indicator on a helical path;

provide a display that can rotate and move one or more indicators on alinear path to show a game outcome;

provide an attractive game display that changes in physical appearanceas the game is played;

provide an attractive moving display to multiple players to indicateprogress towards a community prize event;

provide increased excitement to a player by indicating that a bonus orcommunity prize event may be imminent;

provide a sense of competition between players of a community game;

provide several means for distributing a community prize to eligibleplayers;

provide increased incentive to play a community game;

provide an enhanced common view of community game information; and

provide a more visual game playing experience.

These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remainingportions of the specification, claims, and abstract.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a gaming system thatincludes at least one gaming device that is configured to allow a playerto place a wager and to play a game. A display device is mounted inassociation with the gaming device. The display device includes ahousing and a housing positioning mechanism that is coupled to thehousing. An indicator is coupled to the housing and an indicatorpositioning mechanism is coupled to the indicator. At least onecontroller is in communication with the gaming device, the housingpositioning mechanism and the indicator positioning mechanism. Thecontroller is configured to detect an indicator moving event and to movethe indicator in accordance with the indicator moving event.

In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a method ofgaming. The method includes determining if an indicator moving event hasoccurred and if the indicator moving event has occurred, determining anumber of indicator positions to move an indicator. The indicator ismoved the number of indicator positions and it is determined if theindicator is in a prize awarding position. If the indicator is in theprize awarding position, a prize is awarded.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of oneembodiment of the present invention so that the detailed descriptionthat follows may be better understood and contributions of the presentinvention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodimentsof the present invention may not include all of the features orcharacteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described below andwill form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the construction and to the arrangement ofthe components set forth in the following description or as illustratedin the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially a side view of one embodiment of the gamingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is substantially a top view of the gaming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is substantially a side cross-sectional view of a portion ofFIG. 1 showing an internal view of the display;

FIG. 3B is substantially a top view of a mounting block;

FIG. 3C is substantially an alternative embodiment of an indicatorpositioning mechanism;

FIG. 3D is substantially a schematic diagram of the gaming apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3E is substantially a flowchart of one embodiment of a game methodusing the gaming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3F is substantially a flowchart of another embodiment of a gamemethod using the gaming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is substantially a schematic view of a further embodiment of thegaming apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is substantially a top view of the gaming apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5B is substantially a schematic diagram of the gaming apparatus ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is substantially an internal view of a further embodiment of adisplay in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 substantially depicts a processor and instruction set executablein the processor;

FIG. 8 is substantially a top schematic view of a further embodiment ofthe gaming apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is substantially a side cross-sectional view of the gamingapparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is substantially a side view of yet another embodiment of agaming apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is substantially a side cross-sectional view of the gamingapparatus of figure 10;

FIG. 12 is substantially a flowchart of a game method using the gamingapparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is substantially a side view of an additional embodiment of agaming apparatus of the present invention that uses a video display; and

FIG. 14 is substantially a side view of FIG. 13 showing one possiblegame display.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a gaming system or apparatus 10 inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The gaming apparatus 10has at least one primary or base gaming device 12 and a bonus gamingdevice, second game display or community game display 14.

While only one gaming device 12 is shown adjacent to second game display14, several gaming devices 12 may be positioned all the way aroundsecond game display 14. Gaming devices 12 and second game display 14 maybe operated in a relationship that enables a community game whereseveral game players can play together in association with each other.

Gaming device 12 may be any of a large number of devices that areadapted to allow players to play a game. For example, game apparatus 12may utilize reel displays (not shown), such as spinning reels or a videodisplay 31, to display outcomes of the game. Means may also be providedfor accepting wagers, such as a coin slot or card reader 30, and forawarding prizes, such as a coin dispenser 33. Buttons 32 are providedfor activating gaming device 12 to begin a game. In at least oneembodiment, gaming device 12 may be an S Plus model gaming devicemanufactured by International Game Technology in Reno, Nev.

Gaming device 10 may be controlled by an electronic controller 80 (seeFIG. 3D) that utilizes a random number generator. The random numbergenerator produces a random or pseudo random number for each game. Theoutcome of the game may be determined by comparing the random number toa table of outcomes stored in a memory and accessed by controller 80. Anumber of different tables of outcomes may be used and different tablesmay be used for different games. The tables can be designed so thatdifferent prizes have different probabilities of being awarded. Suchdesign techniques are well known in gaming. Examples of such designs areshown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,419, issued to Telnaes, and U.S. Pat. No.5,456,465, issued to Durham. Controller 80 causes video display 31 toshow the outcome of the game that corresponds to the outcome of therandom number generator. It is recognized that gaming device 12 mayoperate in many other ways and still achieve the objects of the presentinvention.

Gaming device 12 may also be capable of producing a bonus activatingevent or an indicator moving event. These events may be many differenttypes of events. For example, a bonus qualifying event may comprisedisplaying a particular symbol, such as a “bonus” symbol, or combinationof symbols, such as three “7” symbols, on display 31. If the game beingplayed is poker based, an indicator moving event may be the occurrenceof a certain hand, such as a royal flush. Furthermore, an event mayoccur when a player accumulates a number of symbols or game outcomesover a number of separate game plays. For example, an indicator movingevent may occur when the player receives an indicator moving symbol ondisplay 31.

With reference now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B, second game display 14 canhave a hollow conical shaped shell or display housing 52. Housing 52 mayhave an apex 53, base 54, rigid wall 55, an inner surface 56, an outersurface 57, a cavity 58 and a rim 59. Housing 52 can rotate in aclockwise direction of rotation 38. Housing 52 may be formed from a widevariety of materials such as metal or plastic. In various embodiments,housing 52 may resemble an inverted cone, pyramid or a mountain.

Housing 52 can be mounted for rotation on a support structure or frame16 by bearings 15. Alternatively, the housing 52 may be mounted on aturntable 25 that provides a base for the display that is rotatablymounted on the bearings 15.

A housing positioning system 71 can have an actuator 19 that is mountedto a cross member 16A of frame 16. A shaft 17 can be coupled betweenactuator 19 and turntable 25 or base 54. Actuator 19 can be motor suchas an electric motor or a stepper motor that can rotate housing 52.Actuator 19 is in communication with controller 80 (FIG. 3D) such thatcontroller 80 can control the rotational position of housing 52.

The rotatable second display 14 provides a physical moveable indicator20 that provides additional visual stimulation and excitement to aplayer of primary gaming device 12 as well as indicating additionalgaming information as will be described in greater detail below. In oneembodiment, moveable indicator 20 may be a vehicle such as a car ortruck.

With specific reference to FIG. 3A, an indicator positioning system 70is shown. Indicator positioning system 70 is also in communication withcontroller 80 (FIG. 3D). Indicator positioning system 70 can positionindicator 20 independently of the rotation of housing 52.

Indicator positioning system 70 can include an indicator rotation device76, an indicator height device 77 and an indicator length device 78.Indicator positioning system 70 can position indicator 20 in any of 3dimensions. Indicator rotation device 76 can move indicator 20 aroundthe outer circumference of housing 52. Indicator height device 77 canmove indicator 20 up and down between base 54 and apex 53. Indicatorlength device 78 can adjust the distance between indicator 20 and thecentral axis of rotation that corresponds with threaded rod 21.

Housing 52 can have a number of indicator positions 20A that arepositioned around housing 52. Moveable indicator 20 can be stopped atany of indicator positions 20A. For example 25 different indicatorpositions can be set around helical path 26. Housing 52 can further havea number of bonus awarding positions 35A that contain symbols or indicia35. When indicator 20 reaches one of the bonus awarding positions 35A, abonus prize indicated by indicia 35 is awarded to the game player.

In an embodiment, indicia 35 can be changeable and can be displayed on achangeable meter such as a LED meter or video display that is mounted tohousing 52.

Indicator rotation device 76 can have an actuator 60 such as an electricmotor that is mounted to base 54 by brackets 63. Actuator 60 is incommunication with controller 80 (FIG. 3D) through an electrical cable13. Actuator 60 is coupled to a coupler 62 through shaft 61. Rotation ofshaft 61 causes rotation of coupler 62. A pair of round guide rods 64and 65 is attached to coupler 62. Rod 64 has ends 64A and 64B. Rod 65has ends 65A and 65B. Ends 64A and 65A are attached to coupler 62 andends 64B and 65B extend toward apex 53.

A position sensor 95 can be mounted adjacent to an outer edge of base54. The position sensor 95 can be in communication with controller 80(FIG. 3D). Position sensor 95 can detect the position of housing 52 andcan provide an electrical signal with this information to controller 80.Position sensor 95 can be any suitable type of sensor such as optical,magnetic, inductive or resistive position sensors.

Rods 64 and 65 extend through mounting block 27. As seen in FIG. 3B,mounting block 27 has apertures 27A through which rods 64 and 65 pass.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, indicator height device 77 can have arotary actuator 90 that is mounted to coupler 62. A threaded rod orshaft 21 is attached to actuator 90 such that actuator 90 can rotateshaft 21. Shaft 21 has ends 21A and 21B. Actuator 90 can be incommunication with controller 80 (FIG. 3D) through an electrical cable13. Thread shaft 21 is engaged with internal threads (not shown) ofmounting block 27. Rotation of shaft 21 causes the mounting block 27 tobe wound or rotated up and down the threaded shaft 21 between ends 21Aand 21B.

An additional position sensor 97 can be mounted adjacent to threadedshaft 21. The position sensor 97 can be in communication with controller80 (FIG. 3D). Position sensor 97 can detect the position of mountingblock 27 and can provide an electrical signal with this information tocontroller 80. Position sensor 97 can be any suitable type of sensorsuch as optical, magnetic, inductive or resistive position sensors.

Indicator length device 78 can have a linear actuator 92 that is mountedto mounting block 27. The moveable indicator 20 is mounted to atelescopic connection 28 having a number of extendable and retractablepieces 28 a, 28 b and 28 c. Telescopic portion 28 c extends through aslot 24 in wall 55 of the housing 52 to connect to the moveableindicator 20. Moveable indicator 20 rests against outer surface 57.Telescopic portion 28 a is connected to actuator 92.

Actuator 92 can be a linear actuator that can extend and retracttelescopic connected 28. Actuator 92 can be in electrical communicationwith controller 80 (FIG. 3D) through electrical cable 13.

Another position sensor 96 can be mounted adjacent to shaft telescopicconnection 28. The position sensor 96 can be in communication withcontroller 80 (FIG. 3D). Position sensor 96 can detect the position ofindicator 20 and can provide an electrical signal with this informationto controller 80. Position sensor 96 can be any suitable type of sensorsuch as optical, magnetic, inductive or resistive position sensors.

The telescopic portions 28 a, 28 b, 28 c may be spring biased to aretracted position using spring 72 shown mounted inside telescopicportion 28 a. As the moveable indicator 20 climbs the housing 52, thetelescopic connector 28 retracts, thereby maintaining the moveableindicator 20 in position against wall 55.

Several lights 94 such as light emitting diodes may be attached tomoveable indicator 20 to bring further attention to moveable indicator20. Lights 94 can be in communication with controller 80 (FIG. 3D).

While an electrical cable 13 is shown connecting actuators 19, 60, 90,92, position sensors 95, 96 and 97 and lights 94 to controller 80, awireless communication device may also be used to communicate betweencontroller 80 and actuators 19, 60, 90, 92, position sensors 95, 96 and97 and lights 94. Alternatively, a rotating ring (not shown) may belocated between turntable 125 and housing 52 in order to supply power toactuators 19, 60, 90, 92, position sensors 95, 96 and 97 and lights 94.Data signals may then be wirelessly transmitted from controller 80 toactuators 19, 60, 90, 92, position sensors 95, 96 and 97 and lights 94.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, slot 24 in wall 55 defines a helicalpath 26 that moveable indicator 20 can travel along to change both thevertical and angular position of moveable indicator 20. Viewed from theoutside, the moveable indicator 20 has the appearance of following thehelical path 26 around the display housing 52. Additional indicia,graphics etc may be provided on the display housing 52 in order toenhance the visual effect of the moveable indicator 20 climbing ordescending the display.

Turning now to FIG. 3D, gaming apparatus 10 comprises a controller 80that is adapted to control the operation of the game apparatus.Controller 80 may be one or more micro-computers or processor boards.Controller 80 may facilitate communication between primary gaming device12 and bonus gaming device 14 through an electrical cable 13. Controller80 may include a random number generator 81. Controller 80 may include arandom number generator 81. Random number generator 81 is capable ofrandomly generating a random number and providing the random number tocontroller 80. Controller 80 can determine the size of any prizes shownon second display device 14 and awarded.

Controller 80 can be in communication with coin slot 30, buttons 32 anddisplay 31. Controller 80 can further be in communication with actuators19, 60, 90 and 92, lights 94 and position sensors 95, 96 and 97.

Controller 80 is adapted to detect when a bonus qualifying event or anindicator moving event occurs in gaming device 12. For example, anindicator moving event may occur when a series of symbols or a specialsymbol is shown in display 31. In an embodiment, an indicator movingevent may occur when three of the same symbols are shown on display 31.If the game shown on display 31 is poker based, the indicator movingevent may be the occurrence of a certain hand such as a flush or astraight.

When controller 80 detects an indicator moving event, it may begin anindicator moving sequence by activating second display device 14.

Second display device 14 may indicate that a player has qualified for anindicator moving event and prompt the player to perform an action. In anembodiment, the player is prompted to start the indicator movingsequence by pressing a button (not shown).

Controller 80 performs a routine to determine the number of indicatorpositions 20A (FIG. 1) that indicator 20 (FIG. 1) is to be moved and anyprizes that are to be awarded. In an embodiment, the number of indicatorpositions to be moved is randomly selected. Random number generator 81generates a random number and supplies the random number to controller80. Controller 80 compares the random number to a pay table similar tothat described for game apparatus 12 or as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,823,874, issued to Adams. A simple pay table may appear as follows:

TABLE 1 Number of Positions Random Number to Move Indicator 0.00 to 0.2 1 0.21 to 0.40 2 0.41 to 0.60 3 0.61 to 0.80 4 0.81 to 1.00 5

For example, if the random number generator produced 0.3, indicator 20would be moved two indicator positions. Controller 80 can track theposition of indicator 20 using position sensors 95, 96 and 97 (FIG. 3A)and can determine if indicator 20 is in a bonus awarding position 35A.Controller 80 can further determine which bonus prizes are to be awardedas indicated by indicia 35 (FIG. 1).

With reference now to FIGS. 3A and 3D, after controller 80 determinesthe number of positions to move indicator 20, controller 80 causeshousing positioning system 71 to rotate housing 52 and indicatorpositioning system 70 to rotate, raise, lower and extend indicator 20 tothe desired position. If indicator 20 is in a bonus awarding position35A, lights 94 may be illuminated or flashed on indicator 20 in orderfor a game player to clearly see what they have won.

Controller 80 may then cause any credits won to be displayed and if theactual prize is money, the amount of the prize may be added to theplayer's credit meter or dispensed.

Controller 80 is able to track the position of the moveable indicator 20along the helical path 26. In one embodiment, the position of moveableindicator 20 can be calculated from the number of indicating movingevents. In one embodiment, several position sensors may be deployedalong path 26 in order to detect the position of moveable indicator 20.

In another embodiment, the position of moveable indicator 20 may becalculated and then verified by position sensors in order to avoid anydiscrepancies between the position of the moveable indicator aspresented to the player and the position of the moveable indicator knownby the gaming device.

A bonus award or prize may be awarded to the player when the moveableindicator reaches predetermined bonus awarding positions 35 (FIG. 1)that are located along helical path 26. In an embodiment, the bonusawarding positions may be at the end of the path, such as at the apex 53of the display, or may be at intermediate points along the helical path26, or may be at the bottom of the path.

Indicia 35 on housing 52 may be used to indicate a position that theindicator 20 needs to reach in order for the player to receive a bonusprize. The combination of the moveable indicator 20 and the rotatinghousing 52 has an advantage of providing the player with a sense thatthe awarding of the next bonus prize may be imminent, therebymaintaining the player's interest for a longer period of time.

In addition, colorful and attractive background graphics can be providedon housing 52. By rotating housing 52, an impression that the physicalappearance of the display is constantly changing can be created whichenhances the visual appeal of gaming device to the player.

In an embodiment, a bonus prize is awarded to the player when themoveable indicator 20 reaches the top of the housing 52. As the prize isbeing awarded to the player, the housing positioning system 71 reversesthe direction of rotation of housing 52 and the indicator positioningsystem 70 causes the moveable indicator 20 to return to the startingposition at the base of the display ready for commencement of the nextgame cycle.

In one embodiment, a first bonus prize is awarded to the player when themoveable indicator 20 reaches the top of the display housing 52, atwhich time the direction of rotation of the housing and movement of theindicator is reversed so that further indicator moving events cause themoveable indicator to descend the display.

When the moveable indicator 20 again reaches the starting position atthe base of the display housing 52, a second bonus prize may be awardedto the player. Therefore, the first bonus prize may be considered as anintermediate prize. Visual indicia on the display may be used to createthe impression of the necessity in reaching the top of the display as anintermediate goal to attaining the second bonus prize.

With reference now to FIG. 3C, an alternative embodiment of an indicatorpositioning system 900 is shown. Indicator positioning system 900 canhave a circular channel 910 that is located in housing wall 55 and isparallel with slot 24. Channel 910 and slot 24 are co-axial with eachother. A linear cable 912 is slidably retained in channel 910 forsliding movement. Cable 912 can slide back and forth in channel 910.Moveable indicator 20 is attached to cable 912 at one point by bracket914. Cable 912 can be attached to a linear actuator 920. Linear actuator920 can be in communication with controller 80. Linear actuator 920 cancontrol the position of moveable indicator 20 by moving cable 912 withinchannel 910.

Game Methods

Turning now to FIG. 3E and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a flowchartillustrating one possible method of operation of gaming apparatus 10 isshown. The method, generally referred to as 500, begins by presenting abase or primary gaming device to a player and placing a wager at step502. The player may play the base game at step 504. Decision 506 checksto see if a bonus qualifying or activating event has occurred. If theoutcome from decision 506 is not a bonus qualifying outcome, method 500displays the base game outcome and awards any base game prizes to whichthe player is entitled at step 508 and then returns to step 502.

If decision 506 determines that a bonus qualifying event has occurred,method 500 proceeds to step 510 where the bonus game outcome isdetermined. The bonus game outcome can include a losing outcome and aprize winning or prize awarding outcome. Other types of game outcomesmay also be determined in step 510. At step 512, second or bonus displaydevice 14 is activated. At step 514, housing 52 is rotated and moveableindicator 20 is moved. Moveable indicator 20 may move in a variety ofways. For example, moveable indicator 20 may move all the way up path 26to the apex of housing 54 and then all the way down, then back up, andso on. Alternatively, moveable indicator 20 may move randomly or at morethan one speed.

Next, method 500 proceeds to step 516 where the housing 52 and moveableindicator 20 are stopped. Moveable indicator 20 is stopped in a bonusprize awarding position 35A. At step 518, lights 94 (FIG. 3A) may beilluminated.

Any bonus prize the player has won is awarded at step 520. Method 500then returns to step 508 where the base game outcome is displayed andawarded. Many other methods may be used to operate the presentinvention. For example, the order of the steps in FIG. 3E may be alteredor interchanged. In one embodiment, the lights may be illuminated priorto stopping movement of the moveable indicator or housing.

With reference now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3F, another method of operation ofgaming apparatus 10 is shown is show in FIG. 3F. The method, generallyreferred to as 550, begins by presenting a base or primary gaming deviceto a player and placing a wager at step 502. The player may play thebase game at step 504. Decision 552 checks to see if an indicator movingevent has occurred. If the outcome from decision 552 is not an indicatormoving event outcome, method 550 displays the base game outcome andawards any base game prizes to which the player is entitled at step 508and then returns to step 502.

If decision 552 determines that an indicator moving event has occurred,method 550 proceeds to step 554 where the number of positions to moveindicator 20 and the position that housing 52 is moved to aredetermined. Step 554 determines the bonus game outcome. At step 556,housing 52 is rotated and at step 558 moveable indicator 20 is moved.Movement of indicator 20 may include raising, lowering rotating,extending or retracting indicator 20 using indicator positioningmechanism 70 (FIG. 3A). At step 560, the rotation of housing 52 isstopped and at step 562 the movement of moveable indicator 20 isstopped.

Decision 564 then checks to see if indicator 20 is in a prize awardingposition. If the indicator is not in a prize awarding position, method550 displays the base game outcome and awards any base game prizes towhich the player is entitled at step 508 and then returns to step 502.

If decision 564 determines that indicator 20 is in a prize awardingposition, method 550 proceeds to step 566 where the prize or bonus prizeindicated by indicia 35 is awarded to the player. If the prize is money,the prize may be added to the player's credit meter.

Method 550 then proceeds to decision 568 where it is determined if themoveable indicator 20 is at an end of travel position. The end of travelpositions are when the moveable indicator reaches either apex 53 or base54 along path 26. If the indicator is not at an end of travel position,method 550 displays the base game outcome and awards any base gameprizes to which the player is entitled at step 508 and then returns tostep 502.

If decision 568 determines that indicator 20 is at an end of travelposition, method 550 proceeds to step 570 where the direction of travelof moveable indicator 20 is reversed. Method 550 then proceeds to step508 where the base game outcome is displayed and awarded and thenreturns to step 502.

Many other methods may be used to operate the present invention. Forexample, the order of the steps in FIG. 3F may be altered orinterchanged. In one embodiment, movement of the indicator may bestopped before the rotation of the housing is stopped. In anotherembodiment, rotation of the housing may be omitted.

Vertical Indicator Embodiment

A gaming system or apparatus 110 in accordance with a further embodimentof the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5A, 5Band 6. The gaming apparatus 110 has a plurality of primary gamingdevices 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D that are mounted around a bonus gamingdevice, second game display device or community game display 114. Whilefour gaming devices 12A-D are shown, any number of gaming devicesconsidered to be practical by the person skilled in the art may be used.Gaming devices 12A-D can be identical to gaming device 12 previouslydescribed in FIGS. 1-3F.

Community game display 114 can include a turntable 125 mounted onto asupport structure 116 via bearings 115 which allow rotation of theturntable 125 relative to the support structure 116. A shaft 117 extendsfrom the turntable 125 and engages an actuator 119. Actuator 119 can bea rotary electric motor or a stepper motor. Actuator 119 may be mountedto a cross-member 116A. Actuator 119 can be connected with an electricalcable 139 that is also connected to a central controller or server 140.A position sensor 197 (FIG. 6) can determine the position of housing 152and provide an electrical signal with the position information ofhousing 152. Server 140 can provide an electrical signal that controlsthe rotation of actuator 119.

A housing or shell 152 can be disposed for rotary motion on turntable125. Housing 152 can be shaped like a pyramid structure that has fourwalls 161, 162, 163 and 164. Other shapes may also be used for housing152 such as square, pentagon or hexagonal. Housing 152 can further havean apex 153, base 154 and a cavity 158 (FIG. 6). Actuator 119 can rotatehousing 152.

Community game display 114 can have an indicator positioning mechanism177 that can move a moveable indicator 120. Moveable indicator 120 maybe located on one wall 164. The moveable indicator 120 moves within aslot 124 that is provided in the wall 164. Slot 124 provides an openinginto cavity 158.

A cross-sectional view of housing 152 is illustrated in FIG. 6. Moveableindicator 120 is provided external to wall 164 and is connected tobracket 129 that extends through slot 124 (FIG. 4). Indicatorpositioning mechanism 177 can have a bracket 129 that may be connectedto a mounting block 127 that has an internal thread (not shown). Mountedblock 127 is threaded onto a threaded rod 121. Threaded rod 121 has ends121A and 121B. End 121B can be rotatably supported by wall 164 through abearing 170. End 121A can be connected to a rotary actuator 150. Rotaryactuator 150 may be supported by a bracket 172 that is attached to wall164.

Actuator 150 can control the rotation of threaded rod 121 in response tosignals received through an electrical cable 151. The location ofbracket 129 in slot 124 prevents rotation of the moveable indicator 120when the threaded rod rotates. Rotation of threaded rod 121 causesmounting block 127 to be wound along rod 121 and moveable indicator 120to move along slot 124. A position sensor 195 can determine the positionof indicator 120 and provide an electrical signal with the positioninformation of indicator 120.

The slot 124 is depicted as a linear slot defining a linear path ofmovement for the moveable indicator 120. However the person skilled inthe art will readily understand that other slot shapes may be used todefine any suitable path, including non-linear paths, helical paths andthe like.

Turning now to FIG. 5B, gaming apparatus 110 comprises controllers'80A-D in each of gaming devices 12A-D that is adapted to control theoperation of the gaming device. Gaming device 12A can have a controller80A and gaming device 12B can have a controller 80B. Gaming device 12Ccan have a controller 80C and gaming device 12D can have a controller80D. Controllers' 80A-D can be in communication with a central server orcontroller 140 through electrical cables 113A-D. Server 140 can have amemory 141 for storing software programs, instructions and gameroutines.

Server 140 is further in communication with community game display 114.Server 140 is in communication with actuator 119 through cable 139.Server 140 is in communication with actuator 150 through cable 151.Server 140 is in communication with housing position sensor 197 throughcable 197A. Server 140 is in communication with indicator positionsensor 195 through cable 195A.

Server 140 can determine the size of any prizes shown on second displaydevice 114 and awarded. Controllers 80A-D are adapted to detect when anindicator moving event occurs in gaming devices 12A-D. For example, anindicator moving event may occur when a series of symbols or a specialsymbol is shown on display 31 (FIG. 2). In an embodiment, an indicatormoving event may occur when three of the same symbols are shown ondisplay 31. If the game shown on display 31 is poker based, theindicator moving event may be the occurrence of a certain hand such as aflush or a straight. When controller 80 detects an indicator movingevent, it may send a signal to server 140. Alternatively, server 140 maydetect or generate any indicator moving events. After server 140 hasbeen informed that an indicator moving event has occurred, server 140may begin an indicator moving sequence by activating community gamedisplay device 114.

Community game display device 114 may indicate that a player hasqualified for an indicator moving event and prompt the player to performan action. In an embodiment, the player is prompted to start theindicator moving sequence by pressing a button (not shown).

Server 140 performs a routine to determine the number of indicatorpositions 120A (FIG. 4) that indicator 120 (FIG. 4) is to be moved andany prizes that are to be awarded. In an embodiment, the number ofindicator positions to move is randomly selected. Server 140 cangenerate a random number and compares the random number to a pay tablesimilar to that described for game apparatus 12 of FIG. 1 or asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,874, issued to Adams. A simple paytable may appear as follows:

TABLE 1 Number of Positions Random Number to Move Indicator 0.00 to 0.2 1 0.21 to 0.40 2 0.41 to 0.60 3 0.61 to 0.80 4 0.81 to 1.00 5

For example, if the random number generator produced 0.3, indicator 120would be moved two indicator positions. Server 120 can track theposition of indicator 120 using position sensors 195 (FIG. 6) and candetermine if indicator 120 is in a community prize awarding position155A (FIG. 4). Server 160 can further determine which prizes are to beawarded as indicated by indicia 155 (FIG. 4).

With reference now to FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, after server 140 determinesthe number of positions to move indicator 120 and determines the rotaryposition of housing 152, server 140 sends an electrical signal thatcauses actuator 119 to rotate housing 152 and actuator 150 to moveindicator 120 to the desired position. Server 140 may require thatseveral indicator moving events occur before indicator 120 reaches aprize awarding position 155A. For example, five indicator positions 120Amay be located between each prize awarding position 155A and fiveindicator moving events may be required to be achieved before indicator120 reaches a prize awarding position. Alternatively, server 140 maydetermine that fewer indicator moving events are required prior toreaching a prize awarding position.

Server 140 is able to track the position of the moveable indicator 120and the position of housing 52. In one embodiment, the position ofmoveable indicator 120 can be calculated from the number of indicatormoving events. In another embodiment, position sensor 195 may be used todetect the position of moveable indicator 120. In another embodiment,the position of moveable indicator 120 may be calculated and thenverified by position sensor 195 in order to avoid any discrepanciesbetween the position of the moveable indicator as presented to theplayer and the position of the moveable indicator known by the gamingdevice.

A community game prize may be awarded to one or more of the players whenthe moveable indicator 120 reaches one of predetermined bonus awardingpositions 155A points on housing 152. In an embodiment, the bonusawarding positions 155A may be at the end of indicator travel or may beat intermediate points along the indicator travel.

Indicia 155 on housing 152 may be used to indicate a position that theindicator 120 needs to reach in order for the player to receive a prize.In an embodiment, indicator 120 may move to a prize awarding positionand then housing 152 is rotated such that more than one game player atprimary gaming devices can sense the excitement of possibly beingawarded a community game prize. For example, moveable indicator 120 maymove to a prize awarding position 155A when movable indicator is facinggaming device 12A. Housing 152 may then be rotated by gaming devices 12Band 12C and stop in front of gaming device 12D. Gaming device 12D maythen be awarded a community game prize as indicator by indicia 155. Inanother embodiment, housing 152 may be rotated and then stopped in frontof one of gaming devices 12A-D and then moveable indicator 120 is movedto a prize awarding position.

The combination of the moveable indicator 120 and the rotating housing152 has an advantage of providing the player with a sense that theawarding of the next prize may be imminent, thereby maintaining theplayer's interest for a longer period of time.

In an embodiment, a prize is awarded to the player when the moveableindicator 120 reaches the top of the housing 152. After reaching the endof travel of the indicator, the indicator positioning mechanism 177reverses such that moveable indicator 120 moves from the top of housing152 towards the base. When moveable indicator 120 reaches the base ofhousing 152, the direction of travel of movable indicator 120 is againreversed.

In one embodiment, a first prize is awarded to the player when themoveable indicator 120 reaches the top of the housing 152, at which timethe direction of rotation of the housing and movement of the indicatoris reversed so that further indicator moving events cause the moveableindicator to descend along the housing.

When the moveable indicator 120 again reaches the bottom or base of thehousing, a second prize may be awarded to the player. Therefore, thebonus prize may be considered as an intermediate prize. Visual indiciaon the display may be used to create the impression of the necessity inreaching the top of the display as an intermediate goal to attaining thesecond prize.

In another embodiment, once a required number of indicator moving eventshave been completed, i.e. at specified positions of the moveableindicator, a prize may be awarded. The rotation of housing 152 may befor a continuous, period or when particular gaming outcomes areproduced.

In one embodiment, the gaming apparatus 110 may provide a communityclimber game. The community climber game is provided under control ofserver 140 illustrated in more detail in FIG. 7 as including at leastone processor 142 in operative association with at least one memory 141.The memory stores an instruction set that is executable on the processor142 for controlling the playing of the community climber game. A methodof playing a community game is described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6and to the flow chart 200 illustrated in FIG. 7 which is depicted asoccurring within the processor 142. While an order is given to the stepsin FIG. 7 and in the following description, the person skilled in theart will readily understand that in certain cases the order of the stepsis arbitrary and the steps need not all be performed in the orderdescribed and illustrated.

In a community climber game, one or more advancement events are definedat step 201 such that each of the gaming devices 12A-D is able togenerate an indicator advancement event. In addition, one or morecommunity prize winning events are also defined at step 202. Thecommunity prize winning events may be dependent on a predeterminednumber of advancements or a degree of advancement of a moveableindicator. The person skilled in the art will readily understand thatother ways of defining the community prize winning event are possible.

At step 203, players place wagers and play games on the respectivegaming devices 12A-D under control of the processor 142 to produce gameoutcomes. The outcome of some of the games played, as determined by theprocessor 142, will yield advancement events at step 204 which advancethe moveable indicator 120 a certain number of indicator positions 120Aon the display device 114. When the moveable indicator reaches apredetermined point, e.g. once a required number of advancement eventshave been generated or when the moveable indicator reaches a prizeawarding position 155A, the awarding of a community prize may betriggered at step 205.

In one embodiment, the community prize is awarded to the player at oneof the gaming devices 112A-D that generated the final indicator movingevent that advanced the moveable indicator 120 to a bonus awardingposition 155A. In another embodiment, the community prize is awarded toeach player that contributed to advancing the moveable indicator 120,that is, each player that generated an indicator moving or advancingevent. In one embodiment, the community prize is awarded to each currentplayer, e.g. each player that provided a wager within a predeterminedtime prior to the triggering of the bonus prize, as determined by theprocessor 142.

In another embodiment, gaming apparatus 110 may be played using the gamemethod 550 previously described in conjunction with FIG. 3F.

Combinations of the above methods of awarding bonus or community gameprizes may be used. For example, an intermediate bonus prize may beawarded when the moveable indicator reaches an intermediate prizeposition 155A (FIG. 4) on the display 114. The intermediate prize may beawarded to the player that advanced the moveable indicator 120 to theintermediate prize position. A final bonus prize, or a portion thereof,may also be awarded to each player when the moveable indicator 120reaches a final position, e.g. at the top of housing 152 (FIG. 4).

Different schemes may be employed for dividing the community game prizeamongst the players or winners at gaming devices 12A-D. This embodimentprovides an advantage in creating a greater sense of interactivitybetween players by increasing competition between players to win theintermediate prizes while also creating a community environment byawarding the final prize to all players, or at least all contributingplayers.

Indicia, graphics and other symbols may be provided on the display 114or housing 152 in order to enhance the visual stimulation to the playersand/or to convey a theme to the players. For example, in one embodimentthe climbing concept may be conveyed to players using a King Kong themein which the display walls 161-164 (FIG. 5A) may be constructed andillustrated to depict the Empire State Building and the moveableindicator 120 may be depicted as the King Kong character from the wellknown feature film. By rotating the housing 152, each player is able toperiodically view the moveable indicator 120, thereby building theplayer's excitement, in particular as the moveable indicator 120approaches a bonus awarding position 155A.

In one embodiment, the degree of movement of the moveable indicator 120may be dependent on the indicator moving generating event. For example,a first movement generating event may cause the moveable indicator 120to advance by a single indicator position 120A. A second movementgenerating event, e.g. an event less probable than the first movementgenerating event, may cause the moveable indicator 120 to advance bymultiple increments or indicator positions 120A, e.g. five increments.In this embodiment, the number of movement generating events required totrigger a community prize is not fixed or predetermined but will bedependent on the type of movement generating events that occur duringthe game cycle.

As described above, a prize may be distributed to players in a number ofways. In one embodiment, each player may receive a prize in proportionto the player's contribution to the advancement of the moveableindicator 120. For example, if a player at gaming device 12A had threeindicator advancement events out of a total of ten events that wereneeded to advance the moveable indicator 120 to the top of housing 152,then that player may receive 30% of the community prize that is awarded.An advantage of this distribution method is that game players willcompete with each other in an attempt to contribute as many advancementsof the moveable indicator as possible.

In an alternative embodiment, the prize may be equally shared amongstall players who have contributed to the advancement of the moveableindicator 120 within a gaming cycle. An advantage of this embodiment isthat as the moveable indicator approaches a bonus awarding position 155,game players who have not contributed an advancement event areencouraged to wager more intently in order to be included in thecommunity prize distribution. In addition, there is an increasedincentive for players to join late in the game cycle knowing they needonly generate one advancement event in order to be entitled to theirshare of a community game prize.

In another embodiment, the game players at each of gaming devices 12A-Dall receive the same prize or each player receives a minimum prize. Anadvantage of awarding a minimum prize or an equal prize is that playersmay be attracted to the game from other areas of the game playing areawhen a prize awarding event is imminent. In one embodiment, all playersmay receive a minimum prize but the player who contributed the highestnumber of indicator moving events may receive an additional prize.

In embodiments where a prize is distributed to all contributing players,server 140 may be adapted to handle cases where a player has contributedto an indicator moving event or to an advancement of the moveableindicator, and so is entitled to receive a portion of the community gameprize, but the player has left the primary gaming device. In a simplestcase, a new player at the gaming device may receive the prizedistribution.

Alternatively, any portion of the prize that may have been given to theabsent player is kept by the operator or distributed amongst theremaining players that are entitled to receive a prize. In some cases,any portion of the prize that may have been given to the absent playermay be contributed to a progressive prize or used to seed future prizes.The person skilled in the art will recognize that combinations of thesemethods are also possible.

Multiple Vertical Indicator Embodiment

A further embodiment of the invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Gaming apparatus 310 is similar to gamingapparatus 110 except that instead of only one indicator located on onewall of the housing, gaming apparatus 310 can have an indicator locatedon each wall of the housing. Gaming apparatus 310 can have a pluralityof primary gaming devices 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D that are mounted arounda bonus gaming device, second game display device or community gamedisplay 314.

Community game display 314 can include a housing 152 that can be rotatedin a clockwise or counterclockwise direction by actuator 119 (FIG. 4) inthe same manner as described for gaming apparatus 110.

Community game display 314 can have four moveable indicators 120A, 120B,120C and 120D that are located on housing 152. Moveable indicator 120Ais provided external to wall 161 and is connected to bracket 129A thatextends through slot 124A. Indicator positioning mechanism 177A can havea bracket 129A that may be connected to a mounting block 127A that hasan internal thread (not shown). Mounting block 127A is threaded onto athreaded rod 121A. Rotary actuator 150A may be connected to threaded rod121A (FIG. 8). Actuator 150A is in electrical communication with server140 (FIG. 5B) through electrical cable 151A. Actuator 150A can controlthe position of moveable indicator 120A along slot 124A on wall 164 inresponse to electrical signals received from server 140.

Wall 161 can have several indicator positions 120AC, several prizeawarding positions 155AC and several indicia 155. Indicia 155 canindicate a community game prize to be awarded to a game player.

Moveable indicator 120B is provided external to wall 162 and isconnected to bracket 129B (FIG. 8) that extends through slot 124B.Indicator positioning mechanism 177B can have a bracket 129B that may beconnected to a mounting block 127B (not shown) that has an internalthread (not shown). Mounting block 127B (not shown) is threaded onto athreaded rod 121B (FIG. 8). Rotary actuator 150B may be connected tothreaded rod 121B. Actuator 150B (not shown) is in electricalcommunication with server 140 (FIG. 5B) through electrical cable 151B(FIG. 9). Actuator 150B (not shown) can control the position of moveableindicator 120B along slot 124B on wall 162 in response to electricalsignals received from server 140.

Wall 162 can have several indicator positions 120BC, several prizeawarding positions 155BC and several indicia 155.

Moveable indicator 120C is provided external to wall 163 and isconnected to bracket 129C that extends through slot 124C. Indicatorpositioning mechanism 177C can have a bracket 129C that may be connectedto a mounting block 127C that has an internal thread (not shown).Mounting block 127C is threaded onto a threaded rod 121C. Rotaryactuator 150C may be connected to threaded rod 121C. Actuator 150C is inelectrical communication with server 140 (FIG. 5B) through electricalcable 151C (FIG. 9). Actuator 150C (FIG. 9) can control the position ofmoveable indicator 120C along slot 124C on wall 163 in response toelectrical signals received from server 140.

Wall 163 can have several indicator positions 120CC, several prizeawarding positions 155CC and several indicia 155.

Moveable indicator 120D is provided external to wall 164 and isconnected to bracket 129D that extends through slot 124D. Indicatorpositioning mechanism 177D can have a bracket 129D that may be connectedto a mounting block 127D (not shown) that has an internal thread (notshown). Mounting block 127D (not shown) is threaded onto a threaded rod121D (FIG. 8). Rotary actuator 150D may be connected to threaded rod121D. Actuator 150D is in electrical communication with server 140 (FIG.5B) through electrical cable 151D. Actuator 150D can control theposition of moveable indicator 120D along slot 124D on wall 164 inresponse to electrical signals received from server 140 (FIG. 5B).

Wall 164 can have several indicator positions 120DC, several prizeawarding positions 155DC and several indicia 155.

Gaming apparatus 310 can be operated through the controller of server140 in a similar manner to gaming apparatus 110 previously described.Position sensors as shown in gaming apparatus 110 can also be used withgaming apparatus 310.

In one embodiment, gaming apparatus 310 may be played using the gamemethod 550 previously described in conjunction with FIG. 3F.

In one embodiment, multiple indicator moving events and multiplecommunity and/or bonus prizes can be displayed by moveable indicators120A, 120B, 120C and 120D indicating the progress towards the awardingof respective prizes. Housing 152 may be rotated or may not be rotated.

For example, a first bonus or community prize may be indicated bymoveable indicators 120A and 120C while a second bonus or communityprize may be indicated by moveable indicators 120B and 120D. Commonindicators may receive the same control signal from server 140 (FIG. 5B)to ensure that the common indicators both indicate the same position.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a first gaming outcome at oneof gaming devices 12A or 12C may cause movement of moveable indicators120A and 120C while a second gaming outcome at one of gaming devices 12Bor 12D may cause movement of the moveable indicators 120B and 120D.Rotation of the display 114 can provide players with alternating viewsof the two bonus prize indicators.

Alternatively, each gaming device 12A-D may cause movement of arespective moveable indicator 120A-D when an indicator moving eventoccurs in gaming devices 12A-D. Rotation of the display 114 can allowother players to see the position of other game player's moveableindicator.

The person skilled in the art will recognize that any number of moveableindicators can be provided as can any number of bonus or communityprizes.

In one embodiment, game players may compete for a bonus or communityprize in a gaming cycle with their positions relative to each otherbeing indicated by respective moveable indicators 120A-D. The bonus orcommunity prize may be awarded to the first player to achieve movingtheir respective moveable indicator to the top indicator position onhousing 152.

When game players sense that one of the players is near one of the prizeawarding positions 155AC-DC, the game players will be encouraged to playmore intently with larger wagers more often in order to try and reachthe top indicator position first.

In another embodiment, a single community game may be indicated bymultiple moveable indicators. In this embodiment, each of the movableindicators 120A-D each receive the same control signal during anindicator moving event such that each moveable indicator 120A-Dsimultaneously indicates the same relative indicator position 120AC-DCor prize awarding position 155AC-155DC. An advantage of this embodimentis that each of walls 161-164 may be decorated with its own theme, thusproviding multiple facets within a single game. The walls 161-164 may bereplaceable allowing the community display device 114 to be easilyrefreshed. In this embodiment, it is not required that housing 152 berotatable.

Video Indicator Embodiment

Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, another embodiment of a second, bonus orcommunity game display device 414 is shown. Community game displaydevice 414 is similar to game display 114 of FIGS. 4 and 5A except thatphysical moveable indicator 120 has been replaced with a moveable videodisplay 440. Moveable video display 440 can be any suitable videodisplay such as LCD, LED, plasma, electro-luminescent or CRT typedisplays. Moveable video display 440 is attached to bracket 129 thatextend through slot 124 of wall 164. An electrical cable 441 allowsmoveable video display 440 to be in communication with server 140 (FIG.5B) so that server 140 can control the video presentation shown onmoveable video display 440. Moveable video display 440 can present animage or symbol 466 on moveable video display 440. In FIG. 10, image 466is a left hand facing arrow.

The position of moveable video display 440 can be controlled byindicator positioning mechanism 177. Indicator positioning mechanism 177is the same as previously described and allows server 140 to movemoveable video display 440 to a desired position on wall 164 usingactuator 150. Indicator positioning mechanism 177 can move and stopmoveable video indicator 440 in a plurality of indicator positions 460after an indicator moving event has occurred.

Several meters or displays 450 can be arranged on wall 164 in aplurality of prize awarding positions 462. Displays 450 can be anysuitable type of changeable display such as LCD, LED, plasma,electro-luminescent or CRT type displays. Displays 450 can display orshow indicia 450 such as prize amounts or multipliers. Displays 450 canbe in communication with server 140 through electrical cables 451.

In an embodiment, server 140 may direct moveable video display 440 tomove and stop at a prize awarding position 462. Server 140 may furthercause one or more displays 450 to show indicia 464 that can be prizes orprize amounts. Server 140 may cause moveable video display 440 to showan arrow that points to the display 450 that indicates the game outcomeor prize. For example, in FIG. 10, the combination of display 450 andmoveable video display 440 are shown indicating a game outcome or prizeof 20 credits. Moveable video display 440 displays an image 466 such asa left facing arrow. Moveable video display 440 can also display a rightfacing arrow in order to indicate prizes on the right side of slot 124.Other types of video presentations may also be presented on moveablevideo indicator 440 such as various entertaining video presentations andgraphics. The moveable video indicator 440 may be incorporated into anyof the embodiments described previously in FIGS. 1-9.

Game Method Using a Video Indicator

With reference now to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, a method of operating agaming apparatus using the community game display 414 (FIG. 10) is shownin FIG. 12. The method, generally referred to as 600, begins bypresenting a base or primary gaming device 12A-D (FIGS. 4 and 5A) to aplayer and placing a wager at step 502. The player may play the basegame at step 504. Decision 552 checks to see if an indicator movingevent has occurred. If the outcome from decision 552 is not an indicatormoving event outcome, method 600 displays the base game outcome andawards any base game prizes to which the player is entitled at step 508and then returns to step 502.

If decision 552 determines that an indicator moving event has occurred,method 600 proceeds to step 554 where the number of positions to movevideo indicator 440 and the rotational position that housing 152 ismoved are determined. At step 602, prize indicia 464 are displayed ondisplays 450. At step 604 moveable video indicator 440 is moved.Movement of video indicator 440 may include moving video indicator 440up and down slot 124. At step 606, the movement of video indicator 440is stopped.

Decision 608 then checks to see if moveable video indicator 440 is in aprize awarding position. If the indicator is not in a prize awardingposition, method 600 displays the base game outcome and awards any basegame prizes to which the player is entitled at step 508 and then returnsto step 502.

If decision 608 determines that video indicator 440 is in a prizeawarding position, method 600 proceeds to step 610 a video presentationis shown on video indicator 440. The video presentation can includedisplaying symbols 466.

Next, housing 152 is rotated at step 612 and stopped at step 614. Anyprizes indicated by the combination of video indicator 440 and display450 can be awarded to the game player at the gaming device that wall 164is facing at step 616. If the prize is money, the prize may be added tothe player's credit meter.

Method 600 then proceeds to decision 568 where it is determined if themoveable video indicator 440 is at an end of travel position. The end oftravel positions are when the moveable indicator reaches the top orbottom of slot 124. If the indicator is not at an end of travelposition, method 600 displays the base game outcome and awards any basegame prizes to which the player is entitled at step 508 and then returnsto step 502.

If decision 568 determines that video indicator 440 is at an end oftravel position, method 600 proceeds to step 570 where the direction oftravel of moveable video indicator 440 is reversed. Method 600 thenproceeds to step 508 where the base game outcome is displayed andawarded and then returns to step 502.

Many other methods may be used to operate the present invention. Forexample, the order of the steps in FIG. 12 may be altered orinterchanged. In one embodiment, the prize indicia may be shown on thedisplays before movement of the video indicator. In another embodiment,rotation of the housing may be omitted.

Alternative Video Indicator Embodiment

Turning now to FIGS. 13 and 14, another embodiment of a second, bonus orcommunity game display 480 is shown. Community game display 480 issimilar to game display 414 of FIGS. 4 and 5A except that displays 450have been omitted.

Community game display 480 can have a slot 124 in wall 164 that can havethe appearance of a ladder 482 with steps or rungs 484. Ladder 482 andrungs 484 can be painted printed or otherwise shown on wall 164. Movablevideo indicator 440 can show a video presentation of a person 486 thatis climbing the ladder 482. In response to the occurrence of indicatormoving events generated or detected in primary gaming devices 12A-D(FIGS. 4 and 5A), moveable video indicator 440 can be moved such that itappears that the person is climbing the ladder.

When moveable video indicator 440 reaches a top prize awarding position488 shown with the indicia “WIN”, a prize 490 may be shown on moveablevideo indicator 440. The prize 490 may be awarded to the player thatcaused the indicator moving event that moved the moveable videoindicator 440 to the prize awarding position 488. If the actual prize ismoney, the prize may be added to the player's credit meter.

A gaming apparatus using community game display 480 may be played usingthe same game method 600 previously described in FIG. 12 except thatstep 602 would be omitted.

CONCLUSION

Although the description above contains many specifications, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of some of the embodiments of thisinvention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by theappended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examplesgiven.

1. A gaming system comprising: (A) at least one gaming device configuredto allow a player to place a wager and to play a game; (B) a displaydevice mounted in association with the gaming device, the display devicecomprising: (a) a housing; (b) a housing positioning mechanism coupledto the housing; (c) an indicator coupled to the housing; and (d) anindicator positioning mechanism coupled to the indicator; and (C) atleast one controller in communication with the gaming device, thehousing positioning mechanism and the indicator positioning mechanism,the controller being configured to: (a) detect an indicator movingevent; (b) move the housing; and (c) move the indicator in accordancewith the indicator moving event.
 2. The gaming system of claim 1,wherein the controller determines a game outcome.
 3. The gaming systemof claim 2, further comprising awarding a prize if the game outcome is aprize awarding outcome.
 4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein thehousing has a plurality of walls, a slot being located in at least oneof the walls, the indicator being moveable along the slot.
 5. The gamingsystem of claim 1, wherein the housing positioning mechanism comprises afirst actuator coupled to the housing, the first actuator being adaptedto rotate the housing.
 6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein theindicator positioning mechanism comprises a second actuator coupled to arod, the indicator being mounted to the rod, the second actuator beingadapted to rotate the rod and thereby move the indicator.
 7. The gamingsystem of claim 1, wherein the indicator moves in a helical path aroundthe housing.
 8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the indicator is avideo indicator, the video indicator being in communication with thecontroller.
 9. The gaming system of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of gaming devices, each of the gaming devices being configuredto cause an indicator moving event.
 10. The gaming system of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of indicators coupled to the housing. 11.The gaming system of claim 1, wherein each gaming device has acorresponding moveable indicator and wherein each moveable indicatorindicates progress of a respective gaming device towards a prizeawarding position.
 12. A method of gaming comprising, not allnecessarily in the order shown: (A) determining a game outcome; (B)determining if an indicator moving event has occurred; (C) if theindicator moving event has occurred, determining a number of indicatorpositions to move an indicator; (D) moving the indicator the number ofindicator positions; and (E) if the game outcome is a prize awardingoutcome, awarding a prize.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising allowing a plurality of players at a plurality of gamingdevices to play a game, each of the gaming devices being adapted togenerate the indicator moving event.
 14. The method of claim 12, whereinthe prize is awarded to each player in proportion to the number ofindicator positions which the respective player moved the indicator. 15.The method of claim 12, wherein the prize is divided equally between allof the players that had at least one indicator moving event.
 16. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the prize is awarded to the player thatmoves the indicator to the prize awarding position.
 17. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising rotating the indicator such that each ofthe game players at each of the gaming devices may view the indicator.18. The method of claim 12, wherein if the indicator has reached an endof travel position, reversing the direction of the indicator.
 19. Agaming apparatus comprising: (A) a plurality of gaming devices, each ofthe gaming devices being adapted to allow a player to place a wager andto play a game, each of the gaming devices being adapted to generate anindicator moving event; (B) a display device mounted such that theplayers may view the display device, the display device comprising: (a)a housing; (b) a housing positioning mechanism coupled to the housing;(c) an indicator coupled to the housing; and (d) an indicatorpositioning mechanism coupled to the indicator; and (C) at least onecontroller in communication with the plurality of gaming devices and thedisplay device, the controller being configured to detect the indicatormoving event and if the indicator moving event has occurred, to move theindicator.
 20. The gaming apparatus of claim 19, wherein a prize isawarded when the indicator moves to a prize awarding position.
 21. Thegaming apparatus of claim 19, further comprising moving the housing. 22.The gaming apparatus of claim 19, wherein the housing positioningmechanism comprises a first actuator coupled to the housing, the firstactuator being adapted to rotate the housing.
 23. The gaming apparatusof claim 19, wherein the indicator positioning mechanism comprises asecond actuator coupled to a rod, the indicator being mounted to therod, the second actuator being adapted to rotate the rod and therebymove the indicator.
 24. A gaming apparatus comprising: (A) means forplacing a wager and playing a game; (B) means for moving a housing andan indicator mounted in association with the means for placing a wagerand playing a game; (C) means for determining an indicator moving event,if an indicator moving event is determined, moving the housing and theindicator; (D) means for determining a game outcome; and (E) means forawarding a prize, if the game outcome is a prize awarding outcome,awarding a prize.
 25. The gaming apparatus of claim 24, wherein themeans for moving a housing and an indicator comprises: (a) a housing;(b) a housing positioning mechanism coupled to the housing; (c) anindicator coupled to the housing; and (d) an indicator positioningmechanism coupled to the indicator.
 26. The gaming apparatus of claim24, further comprising allowing a plurality of players to play thegaming apparatus.
 27. The gaming apparatus of claim 26, wherein theprize is awarded to each player in proportion to a number of indicatorpositions which the respective player caused the indicator to be moved.28. The gaming apparatus of claim 26, wherein the prize is dividedequally between all of the players that had at least one indicatormoving event.
 29. The gaming apparatus of claim 26, wherein the prize isawarded to the player that moves the indicator to a prize awardingposition.
 30. The gaming apparatus of claim 26, further comprisingrotating the housing such that each of the game players may view theindicator.
 31. The gaming apparatus of claim 26, wherein if theindicator has reached an end of travel position, reversing the directionof the indicator.